Women-only services

This article draws on a presentation to a seminar at Sunderland University. Cullagh Warnock (former NEEVAWG Co-ordinator) argues that the specialist VAWG sector is facing an unprecedented crisis. She presents ten reasons why we should care about it and asks questions of the sector itself, statutory commissioners and large non-specialist organisations.

This briefing highlights the existence of legal protections for women-only activities, spaces and services to help ensure that these rights are properly understood and to avoid misinterpretation that may threaten their existence. It includes: a summary of what is and isn’t covered by the Equality Act 2010; when discrimination is lawful; women-only associations; when discrimination against women-only events is unlawful and the legal responsibilities of public bodies.

Survivors’ Rights: The UK’s new legal responsibilities to provide specialist support for women and girls who have experienced violence is an EVAW Coalition Briefing Paper first published in September 2015.